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Ottawa Recreation

Ottawa Recreation

Ottawa recreation is a great excuse to get out and enjoy the great Canadian outdoors! There are over 850 parks within the City of Ottawa which are great examples of how urban communities can incorporate green spaces in their city planning. There is much to enjoy under the theme of recreation: walking, cycling, bike paths, playgrounds, picnic areas, splash pads, wading pools and more!

BEACHES

If your idea of Ottawa recreation is more on the “leisurely” side of things, come hang out at the beach! There are four main beaches to choose from in the Ottawa area. Please note that the city of Ottawa conducts a daily sample of beach water from June-August to check daily water quality results. You can contact Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-2424 ext. 13219 for more information. Beaches will be open in June 2013.

1) Britannia Beach 2805 Carling Avenue
Located in the West end of Ottawa, on the Ottawa River. It’s great for swimming and picnics. There are washrooms, change rooms, free parking, canteen & outdoor showers, picnic tables & barbecue pits, as well as play structures and fields.

2) Mooney’s Bay Beach 2926 Riverside Drive
In the South end of Ottawa, Mooney’s Bay Beach is popular for volleyball enthusiasts, as well as rowers. Swimming is available at this beach, along with washrooms & change rooms, pay parking, canteen, picnic table & BBQ pits, as well as tennis courts and play structures.

3) Petrie Island Beach 727 Trim Road
This is Ottawa’s newest beach, located in the east end. Washrooms, pay parking, and picnic tables are available.

4) Westboro Beach 745 Ottawa River Parkway
This centrally located beach is somewhat smaller and is situated on NCC property at Kitchissippi Lookout. Washrooms, change rooms, free parking, canteen and patio with tables are what you will find at this location.

Ottawa recreation fanatics love the Ottawa and Gatineau region which features many kilometers of bike paths for avid cyclists. Follow the Biking link to see detailed information about Sunday bikedays, bike paths, our public bike system, bike shops that repair, rent and service bicycles, and OC Transpo’s bike connection. Included is a highly detailed pdf map of bike paths in the Ottawa and Gatineau region.

CLIMBING

Coyote Rock Gym Ltd.
1737B St. Laurent Boulevard
613-739-4074

Ottawa recreation includes rock climbing! If your kids have you climbing walls, come here and put it to good use! Started in 1992, Coyote Rock Gym Ltd. is a huge indoor rock climbing gym that has over 15,000 square feet of climbing wall. They offer rope climbing, bouldering areas and free introductory lessons to all new climbers to the gym. A day pass will cost you $15, with special prices for youth, and memberships. Shoes, harnesses and chalk are available for purchase at the location. Waivers need to be signed by all climbers and those under 18 require a parent or guardian there.

PARKS

Both of the parks are central to downtown and are used as venues for major National events such as Canada Day and festivals.

WATERPARKS

Looking for ways to beat the heat? How about a visit to a water park?

Mont Cascades Waterpark is only 20 minutes from downtown Ottawa. This waterpark has been open since 1992 and is located in the Gatineau Hills. The waterpark features ProSlide water rides which are widely recognized as the best in the world for safety, thrills and fun. They also feature leisure pools, water falls, full food and beverage service, picnic facilities, an arcade and a boutique. A full day’s admission is a reasonable $16.99, with a summer-long season pass at $36.99

New to the Ottawa recreation scene: Calypso Theme Waterpark 20 minutes east of downtown Ottawa in Limoges. The waterpark covers an extensive 100-acres and includes state-of-the-art slides, a river run, Canada’s largest wave pool, fun rides, and even a whitewater experience. There are also restaurants, landscaped picnic areas, and a souvenir shop. Admission is between $24.78 – $34.51 (depending on arrival time) and season passes from $79.03-$99.03.